4 Ways to Live Longer

There are four things you can do to increase your odds of living a longer, healthier life. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seven out of 10 deaths in the United States each year are caused by chronic illnesses. Fifty percent of all deaths are from heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Some lifestyle choices can add to our risk of chronic illness and early death. A CDC study found that people who engaged in all four of the healthy lifestyle choices listed below are 66 percent less likely to die early from cancer, 65 percent less likely to die early from cardiovascular disease, and 57 percent less likely to die early from other causes compared to people who don’t.

According to the CDC, if you want to live longer, there are four specific things you can do.

1. Don’t Smoke
If you want to give yourself the most protection from early death — from all causes — don’t smoke.

If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
If you do smoke, and want to quit, call 1-800-Quit-Now, a free telephone support service that can help you to stop smoking or using tobacco.

2. Eat Right

Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood.
Eat fewer foods with sodium (salt), saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, and refined grains.

3. Exercise

Participate in moderate intensity physical activity five or more days per week (150 minutes), such as brisk walking, or
Practice vigorous physical activity three or more days per week (75 minutes) such as jogging or race walking.

4. Avoid Excessive Alcohol Use
Drink alcohol in moderation (men should have no more than two drinks per day; and women no more than one drink per day).

When it comes right down to it, don’t we instinctively know this? And haven’t we been told over and over again? New study or not, it seems like common sense. Too bad so many continue to ignore something so simple. Life is so much better when you feel good!

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ann Pietrangelo is the author of “No More Secs! Living, Laughing & Loving Despite Multiple Sclerosis.” She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and a regular contributor to Care2 Healthy & Green Living and Care2 Causes. Follow on Twitter @AnnPietrangelo

Image: istockphoto.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Marcia M.

8:11AM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

Thanks.
I already do these things.

send a green star

Eternal G.

5:16PM PDT on Sep 19, 2011

Why?

Niculescu B.

5:06AM PDT on Sep 19, 2011

noted

Frida O.

7:53AM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

All good points, not ground breaking but a good reminder. :)

Emily D.

5:33PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

Thanks.

Sara P.

6:24AM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

5. SMILE! :D

Darice M.

7:28AM PDT on Sep 16, 2011

All common sense

greenplanet e.

6:43PM PDT on Sep 15, 2011

Even if you can go for a short walk, it's better than nothing.

Also eating less is supposed to be good for longevity too -- easier said than done sometimes!

Linda O.

3:23PM PDT on Sep 14, 2011

Very good advice, thanks!

Robin R.

12:15PM PDT on Sep 14, 2011

so many people say that exercise is the one they have trouble with - join a team sport. it's a great way to meet new people, and you are way less likely to make excuses and not do the activity when you know that the rest of the team needs you. plus it's a lot of fun to run around knocking a ball around, even at a rec level.